W A S H I N G T O N, March 13
— Tuesday's Texas primaries yielded a gubernatorial match-up that offers an eye-catching mix of money and identity politics.
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Democrats now have a run-off for their US Senate seat between two non-white candidates, ensuring that a grand experiment will be conducted in November, with the party running either two Hispanics or, more likely at this point, one Hispanic and one African-American at the top of their ticket, fueled by what's expected to be more massive personal spending by their gubernatorial nominee.
Democrats also have a pretty strong white guy as their lieutenant governor nominee, forming their own Lone Star Rainbow Coalition.
Someday in America, the non-white facts of this race might seem old hat, and ideas and policies will matter more. But right now, the historic firsts here dominate the coverage.
Should wealthy businessman Tony Sanchez (D) beat Gov. Rick Perry (R) in November, the nation could have two Hispanic (non-territorial) governors next year, with former Energy Secretary Bill Richardson (D) currently favored to win the top state office in New Mexico. But the Richardson race is not expected to be as ethnically polarizing as this one could be.
Sanchez spent an estimated $20 million on the primary (mostly his own money) and has said he'll shell out $30 million more on the general election. And Republicans are vowing that Perry won't be outspent.
There's no way to estimate what the total tab for this race will be, but it's fair to expect it to exceed the gubernatorial race in California given the spending pace Sanchez already has set. (Here's looking at you, Bloomberg/Sanchez media guy Bill Knapp.)
For Democrats to win the Texas race, they'll probably need to achieve historic levels of Hispanic participation. How exactly will they do that? At least part of the answer is Sanchez's deep pockets.
Meanwhile, former Dallas Mayor Ron Kirk, who is African-American, and schoolteacher and 1996 Senate candidate Victor Morales will face each other in an April 9 run-off to determine the Democratic nominee in the race to replace retiring Senator Phil Gramm (R). The winner of the run-off will face state Attorney General John Cornyn (R).
The conventional wisdom now is that Kirk, barring unforeseen circumstances, is likely to win the Senate nod, given his support from former HUD Secretary Henry Cisneros, sitting Dallas Mayor Lee Brown, and what one source called the "urban turnout mechanisms." Run-offs tend to produce low turnout in rural areas, and the high Latino showing at the polls Tuesday is not likely to be repeated in April.
It's been awhile since national party resources have really poured into Texas, but George W. Bush's Republican party can ill afford the symbolism of losing either of these races, so Texas now will be a national battleground all the way through November. It's still a Republican state, and all the GOP candidates have to be considered the favorites right now, but money must be spent and attention must be paid, until the w's (without the direct help of W) are tallied.
Back in duller, rain-speckled Washington, President Bush has an A4 day of meetings and ceremonies with leaders of Northern Ireland, an appearance at a White House event on writers of the Harlem Renaissance, hosted by the First Lady, and a trip to a battered women's shelter to talk more about volunteer service.
The House continues to work on the budget, with some House Republican-vs.-White House tussling over the (eye-glazing but important) debt ceiling being today's hot issue. The Senate continues to work on energy, with (the eye-glazing but important) fuel-efficiency standards front and center, as auto-industry opponents of the stricter standards proposed by aspiring president and Senator John Kerry seem increasingly likely to get their less-restrictive way, with the help of a PR campaign saying that the government wants to take away your SUV.
( http://www.usatoday.com/news/washdc/2002/03/13/fuel-economy.htm )
"House Republican leaders today will present a 2003 budget that includes a small deficit, which they say is the result of increased spending after the terrorist attacks." Their proposal is based upon White House budget office numbers, rather than Congressional Budget Office numbers, which project a surplus that's about $15 billion smaller.
( http://www.washtimes.com/national/20020313-123434.htm )
On the debt ceiling, the Washington Post explains, "House Republican leaders have balked at President Bush's plea to raise the federal debt limit by the end of the month, forcing the Treasury Department to prepare to shift billions of dollars in civil service retirement funds to prevent the U.S. government from defaulting on payments to bondholders. The accounting maneuvers are legal … but the administration's situation underscores the political risks involved in approving an increase in the government's borrowing authority."
( http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A16172-2002Mar12.html )
"Bush's tax cut, combined with the costs of war and reduced revenue amid the recession, has forced lawmakers to confront the issue much earlier than anyone had expected a year ago. Democrats are eager to blame the tax cut, and many appear unwilling to vote for the debt limit increase unless Bush offers a plan for beginning to pay down the debt again. That stance has shifted much of the burden of supporting the administration on increasingly uneasy GOP lawmakers, who this week began touting their own budget plans."
"House Majority Leader Richard K. Armey (R-Tex.) said yesterday that lawmakers are looking to attaching the debt ceiling increase to popular legislation, such as the emergency funding for the war in Afghanistan that will be considered in April or May."
"White House spokesman Ari Fleischer said Bush has 'never closed the door' on attaching the debt ceiling increase to another piece of essential legislation. But Bush hopes Treasury will not need to maneuver around the debt ceiling, he said. 'Congress has a job to do, and Congress has to do it.'"
The The Wall Street Journal says this: "If this week's inflow of corporate tax payments isn't sufficient to keep the government from exceeding the limit, the Treasury Department might have to resort to off-the-books maneuvering that one White House official recently dismissed as 'Enronlike … '"
"The debt-ceiling issue is emerging as a point of contention between the Bush administration and its Republican allies in the House. Some conservatives and lawmakers who face difficult re-elections are reluctant to raise the debt ceiling, especially during an election year. Democrats, meanwhile, are itching for a chance to criticize Republicans over last year's big tax cut, which they say is contributing to the debt load."
"In the Senate, Majority Leader Tom Daschle, Democrat from South Dakota, said the chamber might act quicker than it originally planned, voting to increase the debt ceiling before the House acts."
Senator Ted Kennedy's hometown paper reports that the Democratic lawmakers who were the "bipartisan" in "bipartisan support" for Bush's education plan are now "complaining that the president has reneged on what he called his biggest domestic priority. Bush's onetime allies on the education legislation are angry that dozens of federal education programs reauthorized by the law are slated for reduced or zero funding. The president's budget puts increased financial pressure on states and localities even as they are being required to meet new federal standards."
( http://www.boston.com/dailyglobe2/072/nation/ Bush_s_02_education_team_disbanding_over_03_cuts+.shtml )
The Washington Post 's Broder interviews a Democratic governor-turned-US Senator who doesn't quite get why "'Congress passed a bill that spends money we don't have to fight a recession that is already over.'"
( http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A17205-2002Mar12.html )
The New York Times puts the late-Tuesday immigration bill story on the front page. ( http://www.nytimes.com/2002/03/13/politics/13AMNE.html )
The Washington Times notes, "Mr. Bush, whose advisers are promoting an aggressive strategy of courting Hispanic voters, lobbied congressional leaders last week on the … bill. Republican sources said Majority Whip Tom DeLay of Texas had reservations, but told the president he would not actively oppose the measure and that it would be the only immigration bill to move in the House this year."
( http://www.washtimes.com/national/20020313-611005.htm
The Los Angeles Times includes the Democratic criticism that Bush had to take this approach because he couldn't gin up the support within his own party to win an extension of visas.
( http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/front/ la-000018524mar13.story?coll=la%2Dheadlines%2Dfrontpage )
Former President Clinton will give a speech today at Tufts University in Boston.
Vice President Cheney is now in Egypt. The Los Angeles Times and USA Today offer some color from Amman.
( http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/asection/ la-000018528mar13.story?coll=la%2Dnews%2Da%5Fsection )
and
( http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2002/03/13/cheney-egypt.htm
From the ABCNEWS London Bureau: US-led forces have captured a strategically key valley in eastern Afghanistan and are now scouring mountain caves for any remaining Taliban and al Qaeda fighters … Israeli troops and tanks tightened their grip on Ramallah, trading fire with the Palestinian gunmen as Israel pressed on with its biggest offensive since the intifada started. A senior Palestinian officer and an Italian photographer were killed by Israeli machine gun fire, while seven Palestinians and a French journalist were wounded in other incidents. The Palestinians praised last night's United Nations resolution calling for the first time for a Palestinian state.
ABC 2004: The Invisible Primary
In a (still) rare instance of him stepping out in Washington, a still-bearded but apparently slimmed down Al Gore was spotted working the room at a fundraiser last night for Rep. Richard Neal.
It's a combustible combination: a new Zogby poll, the New York Daily News' man-about-town Tim Burger, and the FFLOTUS:
A new 2004 presidential primary survey showing Senator Clinton nipping at the heels of a certain former vice president leads to this:
"'It's gonna freak Gore out,' said one respected Democratic operative. 'He blamed [former President Bill] Clinton for his last loss, and now he's got her on his heels.'"
( http://www.nydailynews.com/ 2002-03-13/News_and_Views/Beyond_the_City/a-144224.asp )
"Senator Clinton's aides quickly reaffirmed her 2000 campaign promise not to run in 2004. 'She's working hard for New York and will complete her full six-year term, as she has said before,' spokesman Jim Kennedy said."
House Minority Leader Gephardt appears with Senator McCain today on ESPN's "PTI: Pardon The Interruption," hosted by Michael Wilbon tonight at 5:00 p.m.. Apparently, they'll discuss some sports/public policy issues. Gephardt will have a busy day: in addition to this appearance, he'll hold events criticizing the administration on retirement security and on Bush's steel/legacy costs decision.
As noted yesterday, Senator Joe Lieberman tonight will be honored by the League of United Latin American Citizens with their National Legislative Award at 7:00 p.m. at the JW Marriott in Washington.
While the top tier of Democratic wannabes generally have been a little more subtle about their assistance to local candidates in key states like Iowa and New Hampshire, preferring to let news of taped phone messages and the like casually leak out and then, goodness, sounding surprised when asked about it, underdog Gov. Howard Dean knows he needs to be more up-front about his activities.
Dean yesterday publicly declared that he delivered "20,000 phone messages to Iowa Democrats asking them to support State Senate hopeful Amanda Ragan in a special election to be held on March 12 … The message was paid for by the Governor's PAC. "The message says, 'Hi. I'm Governor Howard Dean of Vermont. As a doctor, I know Amanda Ragan will focus on making sure the people of North Iowa receive affordable, quality health care and fair prescription drug prices. Your vote is critical on Tuesday, March 12, for Amanda Ragan in the State Senate special election. This is Governor Howard Dean thanking you for voting.'"
Former Manchester Mayor and Republican Ray Weiczorek beat Democrat John Kacavas for an executive council seat yesterday. More than 12,000 Manchester residents alone turned out for this special election, in large put part due to get-out-the-vote efforts on behalf of party activists.
( http://www.theunionleader.com/articles_show.html )?article=9557 )
For the uninitiated, the Associated Press neatly explains why this matters: "'Special elections are strongly influenced by the Democratic and Republican activists, so it's a good test of how things are going in your own party,' John Dowd, the state Republican chairman, said the day before the election. National figures from both parties came to New Hampshire to stump for the candidates. On the Democratic side, U.S. Senator John Kerry of Massachusetts, House Minority Leader Dick Gephardt, Vermont Gov. Howard Dean and North Carolina Senator John Edwards campaigned for Kacavas. At the same time, they hoped to interest local Democrats in supporting their own presidential aspirations."
Politics
The Los Angeles Times , among other papers, writes up the House Government Reform Committee's Clinton report.
( http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/front/la-000018523 mar13.story?coll=la%2Dheadlines%2Dfrontpage )
While the Times emphasizes the Roger Clinton angle, the New York Times highlights the apparently larger-than-thought role of former deputy attorney general Eric Holder.
( http://www.nytimes.com/2002/03/13/politics/13PARD.html )
Rush and Malloy are a must-read today for all you need to know about why (allegedly) President Clinton canceled his Africa trip (did it involve 39?), and the (alleged) results of the Tanya Harding/Paula Jones bout.
( http://www.nydailynews.com/2002- 03-13/News_and_Views/Daily_Dish/a-144205.asp )
While stopping in the Boston area to give a speech at Tufts University today, former President Clinton will play favorites in the Massachusetts Democratic gubernatorial primary, appearing with candidate Steve Grossman, Clinton's former Democratic National Committee co-chair, at Grossman's paper factory. Grossman, incidentally, has been touting himself as the outsider in this primary …
( http://www.boston.com/dailyglobe2/ 072/metro/Clinton_to_visit_Grossman_factory+.shtml )
Clinton independent counsel Robert Ray resigned yesterday and now, presumably, will start running for the Republican nomination to challenge Senator Bob Torricelli (D). The state's filing deadline is April 8.
Democratic Senate strategist Jim Jordan welcomes Robert Ray into the New Jersey Senate race with this Daily News quote: "'I honestly can't think of a worse résumé entry to take into a New Jersey Senate race than Ken Starr's errand boy and hand-picked successor,' said Jim Jordan of the Democratic Senatorial Committee."
( http://www.nydailynews.com/2002-03-13/ News_and_Views/Beyond_the_City/a-144251.asp )
Given how weak Torricelli appears in polling and in the eyes of Republican Senate strategists, we wonder what the White House view of Mr. Ray's candidacy is.
In the space of a short few hours yesterday, several major conservative interest groups with a stake in the Pickering nomination sent out a slew of e-mail exhortations, some urging members to target Senate Judiciary Democrats Leahy, Biden, Kohl, Feingold, Durbin and Cantwell. The Log Cabin Republicans were followed by the Concerned Women for America (CWA), the American Family Association, the Christian Coalition, and Senator Mitch McConnell through the RNC.
CWA also is out with a three-state Pickering radio buy targeted at Senators Biden, Kohl and Feingold. They wouldn't tell us the size of the buy.
Many ideologically conservative interests have been a bit piqued that the White House appeared to give up on Pickering so early, and we know the White House's Office of Public Liaison has been discussing this with Republican staffers on the Senate Judiciary Committee as of late. (We know, for example, that Pickering himself talked to the Log Cabin leaders on Monday, a result of a public liaison intervention.)
As late as yesterday, Senate Republicans were telling reporters that Pickering's appellate nomination is dead, and there was speculation that he'd be asked to withdraw his name from consideration. Democrats held to the line that if Pickering failed the committee vote, he was finished.
So perhaps this is the start of a new push trying to persuade wavering Democrats that, at the very least, Pickering's nomination should be sent to the floor for a vote, whether the committee confirms him or not.
Senate Minority Leader Trent Lott told the Washington Times in an interview, "'It was a shot at the president, and I think it was sort of a payback against me and the Republicans and what we didn't do when we were in the majority.'"
( http://www.washtimes.com/national/20020313-895125.htm )
Alison Mitchell has a very clean and clear (practically Sprite-like) overview of the congressional redistricting efforts that generally served as incumbent-protection maneuvers, which will yield far fewer competitive House races than is usually the case, and which, Republican protestations to the contrary, have not produced the possible gains the GOP had predicted. ( http://www.nytimes.com/2002/03/13/politics/13HOUS.html )
Senator McCain on Imus this morning said he regrets that his friend and top political adviser John Weaver was made so unwelcome in the Republican party that he decided to switch to being a Democrat.
North Carolina will postpone its scheduled May 7 US Senate primary, along with other primary elections, as a result of a redistricting legal mess. The new primary date remains TBD. It's possible that the later primary will help former state House Speaker Dan Blue gain a little bit of ground against Democratic primary opponent Erskine Bowles, who seems to be trying to focus on the now-delayed general election campaign.
( http://www.newsobserver.com/wednesday/front/Story/1104475p-1103518c.html )
The venerable and energetic Lee Bandy of the State newspaper checks in on Senator Strom Thurmond and finds him weaker and confined to a wheelchair. "Several longtime associates who asked not to be named said the 99-year-old Republican's condition has worsened. Some noted a marked decrease in his mobility and activity."
( http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/2849506.htm
The US Chamber of Commerce today will release its 2002 voting scorecard.
Texas
Don't forget that most of those folks who voted for Sanchez weren't Hispanic. We wonder whether Sanchez and the Democratic party and the media will hold to this divided-by-ethnicity worldview, particularly since Gov. Rick Perry (R) is an Anglo. Can the party afford a bruising, unsubtle bout of ethnic appeals? What role will national Republicans like Mel Martinez play in Perry's campaign?
Rick Perry has about $13 million to spend so far, and says he'll raise a lot more.
( http://www.mywesttexas.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=3527066&BRD=2288&PAG=461&dept_id=475626&rfi=6 )
The Washington Post 's Balz adds, "Democrats believe that a well-funded Hispanic nominee such as Sanchez will help produce a record turnout among Hispanic voters in November and give the party its best chance for victory. Republican strategists acknowledged that the long-term trends are troublesome but say the state remains tilted toward the GOP and argue that it will take several elections before Hispanic voting power begins to shift the balance toward the Democrats."
( http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A16256-2002Mar12.html )
Although the guy arguably was just massively outspent, Democratic operatives say Sanchez's primary opponent, former state Attorney General Dan Morales, also hurt himself by translating his answers into English during their widely publicized Spanish-language debate a few weeks ago. Sanchez pounced on Morales, accusing him of feeling embarrassed to be Hispanic.
Tennessee
The pro-Lamar steamroll has begun: Gov. Don Sundquist quickly endorsed Alexander for the Senate, frustrating likely Republican challenger Ed Bryant.
( http://www.tennessean.com/local/archives/02/03/14840241.shtml?Element_ID=14840241 )
Tennessee political columnist Susan Adler Thorp says the race is all Alexander's to lose, even if Memphis's own Harold Ford, Jr. decides to get in.
( http://www.gomemphis.com/mca/opinion_columnists/article/0,1426,MCA_539_1027201,00.html )
Meanwhile, if there's going to be a pro-Ford steamroll on the Democratic side, it's getting off to a slower start, but Ford's House colleague Bart Gordon has taken himself out of the running.
Florida
Pinellas County, which is northeast of Tampa, has new touch-screen voting systems, and they worked swimmingly during yesterday's round of local elections.
( http://www.sptimes.com/2002/03/13/TampaBay/New_machines_sail_thr.shtml )
New York
Democrats' near-obsession with not allowing the gun issue to hurt them in 2002 has hit an extreme. Even in pro-gun control New York, apparently, candidates don't worry about being seen as pro-gun. Two days in a row, now, the New York Post has run that photo of Democratic gubernatorial candidate Carl McCall on an Israeli firing range (today they run a shot of his gun-toting rival Andrew Cuomo, too), and the New York Times runs the picture of McCall today.
The point is, there's a controversy over the McCall picture, but it has nothing to do with his firing an M-16.
New Hampshire
John Sununu, Sr. — the former governor, Crossfire co-host, and White House chief of staff — has busted his son's GOP Senate primary opponent, incumbent Bob Smith, for allegedly engaging in ethnic politicking. Sununu, Jr. is the great-grandson of Lebanese immigrants, and Smith has campaigned with prominent Israelis like Bibi Netanyahu, and Smith associates have suggested that Junior, who is Catholic, is somehow soft on terrorism and doesn't sufficiently support Israel. ( http://www.eagletribune.com/news/stories/20020312/NH_001.htm)
Bush Administration Strategy/Personality
Senate Commerce Committee chairman "Ernest F. Hollings (D-S.C.) has opened a formal review of the Bush administration's decision to revamp federal antitrust enforcement procedures, saying the plan should have been submitted to Congress for approval," the Washington Post reports. "Hollings has sent letters to the Justice Department and Federal Trade Commission demanding details of all meetings that led up to the decision to divide oversight of proposed mergers and acquisitions between the two agencies … Hollings said he was particularly concerned that the agreement gives Justice the sole oversight over mass-media mergers."
( http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A16687-2002Mar12.html )
Rush and Malloy in the New York Daily News have a quick interview with U2's Bono: "AIDS crusader Bono says to watch for Bush to announce a 'major initiative' this week on America's efforts toward African AIDS relief." ( http://www.nydailynews.com/2002-03-13/News_and_Views/Daily_Dish/a-144205.asp )
"'I think there's energy and momentum to really do something about Africa and quickly,' the U2 singer told us Monday at the Nordoff-Robbins Foundation Silver Clef Awards fund-raiser."
We weren't at that glam fundraiser Monday, but don't be surprised to see a Bush/Bono photo op in the next few days, involving use of the word "billions."
And we mean "President Bush," not the Gavin Rossdale-led band. However, if you want to see one of those MTV Claymation-y wrestling things between those two very men, click here and go to "audio and video."
( http://www.mtv.com/bands/az/bush/artist.jhtml )
The State Department has decided to convene a conference of all US embassy public affairs officers to discuss how to better improve America's image abroad. Cost of bringing all those couple hundred people together for three days: about $350,000.
( http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A17220-2002Mar12.html )
Legislative Agenda
Senate Majority Leader Daschle has set March 22 as the latest possible date for a vote on Shays-Meehan-McCain-Feingold, and plans to start the petition process today. Senate Republicans opposed to the bill concede to Helen Dewar that it probably will pass.
( http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A17246-2002Mar12.html )
We have (nearly) run out of ways to make light of this: the New York Times has another editorial attacking Mitch McConnell.
( http://www.nytimes.com/2002/03/13/opinion/_13WED2.html )
Enron
The New York Times ' account of the Senate Democrats' post-Enron fraud law package suggests that the Democrats are trying to avoid a White House trap that would paint them as too pro-trial lawyer, even as the Democrats try to bait the Republicans into supporting more changes than Corporate America would like.
( http://www.nytimes.com/2002/03/13/business/13ENRO.html )
Even Army Secretary Thomas White's "supporters say his tenure at the Pentagon is contingent upon his ability to answer questions about his performance as vice chairman of Enron Energy Services and about 30 or more meetings and telephone contacts he has had with Enron executives since becoming Army secretary in May," the Washington Post reports. "'I think it is wait-and-see,' said one senior administration official. 'He comes with a very good background and reputation. He has done a very good job as secretary of the Army. I think the verdict is still out as to what impact Enron may have.'"
( http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A16599-2002Mar12.html )
-- 9:00 am, Senate meets to debate energy policy
-- 9:45 am, White House off-camera morning gaggle
-- 10:00 am, House meets to consider class action fairness, and child protection bills
-- 10:15 am, President Bush takes part in shamrock ceremony, Roosevelt Room
-- 10:45 am, Senate Majority Leader Daschle briefs
-- 10:55 am, President Bush takes part in photo op with Northern Ireland leaders, Oval Office
-- 11:10 am, President Bush attends White House reception with Irish American leaders, East Room
-- 11:35 am, Defense Secretary Rumsfeld and Russian Defense Minister Ivanov hold joint news conference
-- 12:30 pm, State Department briefing
-- 12:30 pm, President Bush attends Friends of Ireland Luncheon (closed), Capitol Hill
-- 12:45 pm, White House on-camera briefing
-- 1:00 pm, Transportation Secretary Mineta swears in the first round of federal security directors for US airports, Reagan National Airport
-- 1:35 pm, Fed chief Greenspan addresses Independent Community Bankers of America conference via satellite
-- 2:30 pm, House Minority Leader Gephardt and Democratic House candidates to discuss retirement security, Democratic National Committee
-- 3:00 pm, President Bush makes remarks at First Lady-hosted White House symposium honoring Harlem Renaissance writers, East Room
-- 3:45 pm, President Bush takes part in Freedom Corps service project at a battered women's shelter, Refuge of Hope, DC
Friday 3/15:
-- Minnesota lobbying disclosure forms due
Saturday 3/16:
-- House Minority Leader Gephardt and Sen. Chris Dodd address South Carolina Democratic convention, Charleston
-- Vermont Gov. Howard Dean keynotes Human Rights Campaign Dinner, Nashville
-- Haley Barbour attends fundraiser for GOP Senate candidate John Cooksey, New Orleans
Sunday 3/17:
-- Sen. Joe Lieberman headlines Merrimack County, NH Democrats' St. Patrick's Day dinner
Monday 3/18:
-- President Bush headlines fundraiser for Missouri Senate candidate Jim Talent, St. Louis
-- March 19: Illinois primary (Democratic and Republican primaries for governor)
-- March 19: Fed meeting
-- March 20: Vermont Gov. Howard Dean addresses National Stonewall Democrats dinner, DC
-- March 21: Radio and Television Correspondents' Association Dinner
-- March 22: Tennessee personal interest disclosure forms due
-- March 22: President Bush travels to Monterey, Mexico for International Conference on Financing for Development
-- March 23: President Bush travels to Lima, Peru
-- March 23: Florida AFL-CIO endorsement convention
-- March 24: President Bush travels to San Salvador, El Salvador
-- March 24: Democratic Gov. Howard Dean of Vermont keynotes Manchester, N.H., Democrats' pre-parade St. Patrick's breakfast
-- March 25: President Bush meets with Prime Minister Anders F. Fogh Rasmussen of Denmark
-- March 26: New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark visits Washington
-- March 28: President Bush attends fundraising events in Dallas
-- March 31: first-quarter Federal Election Commission disclosure report period closes
-- April 4: Filing deadline for Tennessee Senate primary
-- April 5-7: British Prime Minister Blair and his family visit with the Bushes at the Crawford ranch
-- April 5: John Edwards addresses Michigan Democrats
-- April 7: Vermont Gov. Howard Dean marches in Greek Independence Day Parade, Boston
-- April 8: Vermont Gov. Howard Dean keynotes California League of Conservation Voters luncheon, San Francisco
-- April 9: Pennsylvania pre-primary financial disclosure forms due
-- April 10: Florida quarterly campaign finance reports due
-- April 11: Tennessee quarterly campaign finance reports due
-- April 12-14: Florida Democratic Party convention, Orlando
-- April 12: applications to host 2004 Democratic National Convention are due
-- April 12: New York's Republican Gov. George Pataki headlines New Hampshire Republican Party fund-raiser, Manchester, N.H.
-- April 15: tax day; deadline for first-quarter FEC financial disclosure forms
-- April 15: Sen. Joe Lieberman gives speech on higher education, SC
-- April 16: tax day in Maine and Massachusetts, and in states whose tax returns are filed through Andover, MA
-- April 17-20: Republican party state chairs meeting, New Orleans
-- April 25: Ohio pre-election financial disclosure forms due
-- April 26-28: National Rifle Association annual meeting, Las Vegas
-- April 26-28: Democratic Leadership Council retreat, New Orleans
-- May 3: Sen. John Kerry keynotes South Carolina Democratic Party Jefferson-Jackson Dinner, Columbia, SC
-- May 4: Sen. John Edwards addresses South Carolina Democratic convention, Columbia, SC
-- May 3-5: Former Vice President Gore and Tipper Gore appear at BookExpo America to tout their forthcoming book, Jacob Javits Center, New York
-- May 5: AFL-CIO meeting, New York
-- May 4: Kentucky Derby, with politicians galore in attendance
-- May 4: White House Correspondents' Dinner
-- May 7: North Carolina primary (Republican and Democratic primaries for Senate)
-- May 10: Bill Clinton appears at Natural Resources Defense Council fundraiser with Steve Martin and more, Los Angeles
-- May 21: Pennsylvania primary (Democratic primary for governor)
-- May 22-23: New York Democratic party convention, Sheraton New York, NYC
-- May 22-23: President and Mrs. Bush visit Berlin
--May 22, AFL-CIO members expected to ratify increased dues levy for political purposes, New York, NY
-- May 23-25: President and Mrs. Bush visit Moscow
-- May 24 signature deadline for some California ballot initiatives
-- May 25 signature deadline for Oregon ballot initiatives
-- May 28: South Dakota pre-primary financial disclosure forms due
-- May 28-29: New York GOP Convention (Gov. George Pataki's formal renomination)
-- June 1: New Hampshire Democratic Party State Convention
-- July 5: last day for Washington state ballot measures to be presented
-- July 9-12: Northwest Regional Election Conference, Portland, Oregon
-- July 15: New York periodic disclosure forms due
-- Aug. 6: Michigan primary (Democratic primary for governor)
-- Aug. 7: last day for Ohio ballot measures to be presented
-- Aug 26: Jury selection begins in John Walker Lindh trial
-- Sept. 10: Florida, New Hampshire, and New York primaries (Florida: Democratic primary for governor; New Hampshire: Republican primary for Senate and primaries on both sides for governor; New York: Democratic primary for governor)
-- Sept. 17: Massachusetts primary (Democratic primary for governor)
-- Sept. 30: Jury selection begins for trial of Zacarias Moussaoui
-- Oct. 15 (tentative): Zacarias Moussaoui trial begins
-- Nov. 5: Election Day
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